Midlanders grow facial hair for cancer awareness

Tyler White|twhite@mrt.com

Published 3:01 am, Monday, November 19, 2012

Photo: JAMES DURBIN

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From left, Cory Swanson, Ryan Taylor, John Nelson, Nick Twist, Ryan Armbruster and Collin Currell show off the mustaches they are growing during the month of November to raise awareness for prostate cancer and men's health issues. The month-long event, known as "Movember," is growing on males worldwide. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram less

From left, Cory Swanson, Ryan Taylor, John Nelson, Nick Twist, Ryan Armbruster and Collin Currell show off the mustaches they are growing during the month of November to raise awareness for prostate cancer and ... more

Photo: JAMES DURBIN

Midlanders grow facial hair for cancer awareness

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It can’t touch your sideburns, that would make it a beard. It can’t touch your chin either, because that would make it a goatee. It itches for days, even weeks before lining your upper lip with a thin layer of hair that punctuates the face with a masculine edge.

The mustache symbolizes more than masculinity during “Movember,” an annual routine during November when men across the world grow mustaches to raise awareness about men’s health issues, including prostate and testicular cancers.

Midlanders Stephen Marcil and Ryan Taylor know that itch all too well. Marcil, who is growing his third mustache for the cause, finds it amusing to see other guys fret over hair growth during the month-long event.

“It kind of takes you back to high school with awkward puberty struggles,” he said.

Marcil started rocking mustaches during the annual event while living in Calgary, Canada. He had a close friend whose father was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent therapy.

Taylor initially started growing his facial hair in college as a part of “No Shave November,” a similar, yet less restrictive event involving facial hair growth. While many participants in No Shave November use the effort to promote a cause, it is not affiliated with any specific agenda. Men who grow mustaches for Movember, however, are working to raise awareness for men’s health issues.

Now growing his second “mo” this year, Taylor’s participation strikes a more personal note. A close friend recently was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 26.

“It affects more guys than you would think, even at a young age,” Taylor said.

Men do not take the same initiative with their health as women do, Marcil said, with many diseases being caught too late.

Tom Whiteside, Movember Grassroots Engagement director, said the fight against male cancers is “two or three decades behind where women are.” Prostate cancer affects one in six men, which is almost as common as breast cancer in women.

But Marcil and Taylor are not the only Midlanders dodging a razor this month.

A group of 33 men, the Midland Mustachionados, have joined together to promote the cause. The group last year raised $4,619.12 for cancer research. Having kicked off the month with a gathering at The Blue Door, the Mustachionados — most of whom are employees of Apache Corp. — seem enthusiastic about an activity that usually seems so minor, said team leader John Nelson.

Donations to Movember’s website are encouraged, Nelson said. All donations go toward cancer research, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Livestrong Foundation.

Nelson, sporting the “pirate Captain Morgan look,” said he couldn’t think of a more “fun, engaging way to raise money for a good cause.” While none of his family members have cancer, Nelson said he wanted to do his part to help a captivating movement.

Mark Krehel, first-time Mo Bro struggling to grow a ’stache, said he wanted to get involved since “guys don’t want to appear weak or sick in any way.”

Women also can get involved in Movember. While the organization doesn’t ask them to grow “soup strainers” on their faces, Whiteside said they can support their known Mo Bros and spread the word about donating to the cause.

Movember recently pulled in mustachioed actor Nick Offerman — Ron Swanson on NBC’s “Parks and Recreations” — for a humorous ad to inform others on how to grow the lip hair. The organization uses a mobile app for connecting with those participating or are interested in the cause.

“It’s a real lighthearted charity,” Marcil said. “They do a lot of things to try and get people involved.”

As of the middle of last week, the group has raised more than $1,500, but more donations are expected, Nelson said. He hopes that as time goes by, more people get involved in the fight against male cancers.

“Throw away the razor for a month and start raising some money,” he said.

MO?

“Mo” is an Australian term for “mustache.”

MOVEMBER RULES

The rules for “Movember” are simple. Starting on Nov. 1, participants, or “Mo Bros,” shave off any facial hair, leaving a clean slate for a month of growth. Mo Bros can shape and style their mustaches however they want, and can refer to a guide on Movember’s website if they need inspiration.

MOVEMBER HISTORY

Movember started up in Adelaide, Australia in 1999, when a small group of friends — who were drinking at a pub — came up with the idea of growing mustaches for charity. The trend eventually caught wind in Melbourne in 2004, before spreading across the globe.

CANCER STATS

•1 in 2 men, and 1 in 3 women, will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

•1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.

•In 2012, 242,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed and more than 28,000 men will die of prostate cancer.

•Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males between the ages of 15 and 35.

•8,590 men will be diagnosed with the disease in 2012 and 360 will die.

•While not as common, men can get breast cancer. About 2,140 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among men and about 450 men will die from the disease in 2012.